A 2 hour stroll on a bush track on the edge of the Canberra suburbs, with a historical bonus of Mt Pleasant and Duntroon Military College, the first settlement in the area in the 1830s, and spectacular view of the west basin of Lake Burley Griffin.
We set off from the War Memorial.
We headed into the Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve. A very popular walking spot for Canberrans.
The site of an old quarry, which I hadn't discovered before.
Attempts to protect vulnerable wildlife from feral predators in natural habitats.
We skirted around the suburb of Campbell and headed up a bush track to Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant is a vantage point overlooking the limestone plains to the east and the picturesque Lake Burley Griffin and Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle.
Views of Lake Burley Griffin. It is also a memorial to all the ranks of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.
On the eastern side of Mount Pleasant is the Royal Military College, Duntroon, established in 1911.
The first commandant, General Bridges, killed in 1915 in World War 1 conflict, is buried here.
Much of the land was cleared for the dairy and farming land in the 1830s but some native trees survive.
This Brittle Gum sheds its outer layer to reveal a yellow or pink exterior, which glows in the sunshine.
We walked down the path into the Military College. Many of the buildings are original, built around 1911. The gardens are beautifully maintained.
The main parade ground.
The parade ground in the early years, backing on to Mt Pleasant, and the track we descended.
Duntroon House, built by Robert Campbell in the 1830s. It is now the Officers' Mess. Robert Campbell was a ship's captain who brought supplies to the early colony. When his ship sank he was compensated by the colonial authorities with a land grant and developed a large cattle property and dairy.
Well-established gardens.
One of the residences.
Training equipment in the bush setting.
More challenging apparatus.
We crossed Fairbairn Avenue to link up with the Mount Ainslie track.
Coffee and brunch at Poppy's cafe at the War Memorial.
Poppy's cafe with war memorabilia incorporated into their decor.
Pleasant (!) walk on warm morning with lots of local Canberra history to enjoy.
M
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